Spinneret mixing element



Dec. 10, 1957 R. H. BRAUNLICH 2,815,532

SPINNERET MIXING ELEMENT Filed May 25, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 57- 340 J6 m ,/:4' Je Dec. my 1957 R. H. BRAUNLICH 815,532

SPINNERET MIXING ELEMENT Filed May 25, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent C) SPINNERET MIXING ELEMENT Richard H. Braunlich, West Chester, Pa., assigner to American Viscose Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application May 25, 1953, Serial No. 356,971

31 Claims. (Cl. 188) This invention relates to apparatus for intimately mixing or blending a plurality of streams of fluid and, more particularly, to a mixing and proportioning device for controlling the blending of liquid streams used in the manufacture of synthetic textile fibers.

In the conventional bath spinning machine in which a liquid material is extruded through a plurality of very fine orifices in a jet or spinneret and thence hardened or coagulated to form one or more synthetic textile fibers, the use of different liquid materials in combination, and also the use of two or more streams of the same liquid but of different colors produces both interesting effects and unusual problems. In the first place, with viscous fluids it is especially difficult to devise any practical means whereby streams of differently colored fluids or inherently different fluids can be completely mixed with each other to provide an entirely homogeneous material when extruded from the spinneret. The primary streams of liquid may be broken up into many smaller filamentary streams, but, strangely enough, the small streams tenaciously refuse to mix with or to diffuse into each other so that in flowing through the rounder and jet the relaitve alignment of the large number of fine streams of the individual liquids does not vary to produce a single stream of completely homogeneous or blended material. This phenomenon is especially noticeable in streams of liquid viscose or similar synthetic fiber-forming materials customarily extruded through a spinneret.

This characteristic of the liquid material flowing to the spinneret as applied to the invention permits many novel results to be obtained. I have found, therefore, that, in the spinning of two or more different liquids, it is possible to control mechanically the composition of the final filaments by means of the alignment between perforated proportioning members as well as between one or more such proportioning members and the orifices in the jet. As examples of the individual composition obtainable in each filament, it is possible to vary the different materials in such a way that there may be a sharp dividing line between the two materials when seen in cross section. This dividing line or interface can be controlled so that substantially half of the filament is of one material or color and the other half as seen in section is of another color or material. By varying the proportion of the materials, this dividing line can be relocated to give any relative proportion in any desired length of the filament. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a relatively diffused dividing line on either side of which there is a preponderance of one material over the other. On the other hand, the location of the various orices with respect to each other can be so controlled that sheathed filaments having a core of different color and/ or material than the outer coating may be obtained. Also the sheath or outer coating may be controlled to provide annular or irregular shapes.

The present invention contemplates the introduction of at least one disc-like element in the spinning fluid conduit orstrueture of a spinning machine which has plurality of orifices extending through the element and a group of orifices which extend only partially through the element and communicate with a bore or hollowed interior to which a second fluid is introduced. The relative location and number of the orifices communicating with the interior of the hollow disc or member with respect to the orifices providing communication through the member controls the pattern and characteristics of the extruded filament. It is contemplated that these proportioning or mixing disc-like members can be located in the spinning machine either between the candle filter and jet so that there is a blend of filamentary streams for each of the spun ends or the proportioning member may be introduced into the manifold of the spinning machine so that one unit feeds a blend of filamentary streams to each pump position. Furthermore, these proportioning or mixing members may be used singly or in groups to provide for the introduction of a plurality of different fluids as well as to increase the tendency of the blending or mixing of only one liquid stream.

A primary object of the invention, therefore, is to provide an improved blending element capable of insertion in a fluid flow conduit.

A further object of the invention is to provide a blending element whereby a first liquid may be introduced uniformly into the path of a second liquid to provide maximum blending thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in apparatus of the type described, means for introducing, in a filamentary manner, a first liquid into the path of a second liquid.

A further object is to provide a perforated disc having a hollow bore formed of a plurality of passages and a plurality of orices which communicate with said bore together with a plurality of orifices arranged in predetermined relation with the first group of orifices for introducing a second stream of liquid in a predetermined pattern with respect to the first stream.

A further object of the invention is to provide a proportioning element for blending two or more streams of unspun liquid for forming textile fibers which comprises a hollow member having a first set of orifices through which a first liquid is forced and a second set of orifices in alignment with said first set of orifices and arranged in a predetermined pattern therewith through which a second stream of liquid is forced to mix the rst and second streams with each other.

A still further object of the invention is to provide apparatus having a plurality of perforated members for sequentially introducing a plurality of filamentary streams of liquid uniformly into the flow path of a second stream of liquid.

Further objects will be apparent from the specification and drawings in which:

Figure l is a top View partly broken away of a preferred fluid mixing element constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail as seen at II-II of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional View of a modified form of proportioning element as seen at III-lll of Figure 4;

Figure 4 is a side view of a modified proportioning element having one-piece construction;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view showing the element of Figure 1 installed in the coupling of a fluid line;

Figure 6 shows a plurality of proportioning elements used in a fluid line both to introduce a secondary fluid and to by-pass and remix the fluid in the main stream;

Figure 7 is a top view partly broken away of a still further modified construction of a proportioning element constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 8 is a longitudinal section of the structure of Figure 7 as seen at VIII-VIII;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 showing a modification thereof;

Figure l shows the manner in which the proportioning element may be installed in a spinueret;

Figures 1l-l6 are highly enlarged cross-sections of filaments obtainable with the mixing element of the present invention;

Figure 17 shows the manner in which a supplementary mixing device may be used in the viscose supply line of a spinning machine in conjunction with the present invention; and

Figure 18 is a perspective of the supplementary mechanical beater shown in Figure 17.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, a preferred form of my invention is shown in Figure 1 in which the mixing or proportioning element 20 is fabricated from a downstream disc 28a having a plurality of bosses 20b, 2Gb formed integrally on one side thereof. These bosses 2Gb may be arranged in any desired pattern or location but are preferably distributed evenly over one surface of disc 20a. The opposite portion of the element comprises an upstream disc 20c which is secured to the tops of bosses 2Gb, 2Gb by screws 20d, 20d. With the element thus assembled a hollow chamber or compartment 20e is formed between the two discs 20a and 20c, and communication from this chamber is afforded through orifices 21, 21 in the downstream disc or wafer 20a. The bosses 20h, however, and the disc 20c are drilled completely through to provide fluid passages 22, 22 directly through the entire element. The bosses in the form of Figure 1 are formed by a series of milled slots 23, 23 cut at right angles to each other so that the bosses are substantially square. The spacing and angularity of the milled slots 23 may, of course be varied to provide the pattern desired, and the orifices 21, 21 may be drilled in either of the discs.

It will be understood that when in use the element is positioned in a fluid conduit so that orifices 21, 21 face downstream. Thus the primary or main fluid stream fiows through all the passages 22, 22 which are preferably of the same inside diameter. A separate or secondary stream of liuid is introduced into the chamber 20e from whence it issues through orifices 21, 21 in the same direction as the fluid issuing through passages 22, 22. A suitable coupling in which the proportionint7 disc may be installed is shown in. Figure 5, and this coupling comprises a female element 25 having an enlarged bore 26 terminating in a shoulder 27, against which the proportioning element is tightly held by the male coupling member 28. An O-ring or other suitable seal 29 may be provided between the two inter-engaged coupling elements. Alternatively, gaskets may be provided around the periphery of the proportioning element, and in thiscase the peripheral bosses 20b permit sufficient sealing pressure to be applied to effect suitable fluid seal without distorting or bending the discs 20a and 20c. The secondary fluid to be mixed with or introduced into the fluid in the coupling is supplied through a passage 35 which registers with the chamber 20e.

Instead of the two-piece construction for the element shown in Figures 1 and 2, it is feasible to use a modified construction that may also be fabricated either of a synthetic plastic material or of a metal. In this form (Figure 3) the proportioning element 36 has an annular turned 90 and a second series of passages 39, 39 is drilled which intersect the passages 38, 38. This construction provides a chamber 36a in the center of the element formed by the connecting passages 38, 38 and 39, 39. This chamber, of course, communicates with the groove 37 so that fluid introduced to the groove from any point around the periphery of the element flows through all the passages and from thence out of the orifices 40, 40 which are drilled in registry with each passage. Mid-way between the intersections of the passages there remains a solid piece of material which is drilled completely through the element to provide a plurality of through-passages or orifices 41, 41 corresponding to the through-passages 22, 22 of Figure 1. In either form fluid flow directly through the element is provided by the orifices 22, 22 or the orifices 41, 41 as the case may be. Downstream fluid flow from the central chamber in each construction is in accordance with a prearranged pattern achieved by the spacing of orifices 21 and 22 in element 20 or orifices 40 and 41 in element 36. The element 36 is preferred for less viscous fluids since it is made of a solid piece of material, thus eliminating any possibility of leakage which might occur at the junction between disc 20c and bosses 2Gb in the form of Figures 1 and 2.

In addition to the application of my improved proportioning element as a means for introducing a secondary fluid stream into a first stream in a uniform manner, it is possible to employ a plurality of the mixing elements in a fluid conduit` to introduce independent separate uid streams at any desired point in a fluid conduit and also to by-pass and reintroduce a portion of the main stream through the mixing element. A fluid conduit 45 (Figure 6) is provided with a iiuid passage 46 which is enlarged to receive a plurality of the proportioning elements 20 of Figure 1 or one or more of the other forms of elements, such as shown in Figure 3, and to be described hereinafter. The first of the proportioning elements 20x is seated on a shoulder 47 and spaced from the second element 20y by means of a spacing sleeve 48. The third element Zflz is in turn separated from the second element 20y by a spacing sleeve 49. Further elements can be added as may be desired or the assembly may be clamped together by means of a threaded coupling of the type shown at 28 in Figure 5. A secondary fluid is introduced to the chamber of the first mixing element 20x through a radially extending passage 50 in the conduit 45. Furtherl more, the fluid streams in the conduit space defined by spacing sleeve 48 may be additionally mixed by providing a radially extending passage 51 through the conduit wall and the spacing sleeve 48 which in turn communicates with the chamber of proportioning element 20y through a radial passage 52 and a metering collar 53. This arrangement recirculates or reintroduces the bypassed fiuid into the main stream through the downstream orifices 21, 21 in element 20y. Another secondary fiuid which may be viscose of a different age or of a different color may be mingled with the primary fluid stream passing through element 202: by introducing this secondary fluid to the chamber of element 20z through passage 55. Thus any desired result in mixing or blending may be acheived.

A simple alternative to the construction of Figure 1 is shown in Figures 7 and 8 in which the element 60 has a lower disc 60a and bosses 60b, 60h and 60C, 60e formed integrally therewith. The upper disc 60d is drilled with sufficiently large holes to receive the entire upper part of the bosses 60b, 60b and it is also provided with orifices 61, 61 for fluid communication with chamber 60e formed between the discs. In any of the embodiments, the bosses such as 60e may be formed integrally with either the upstream or downstream discs such as 60d or 60a, and in the form of Figure 8 the bosses 60e are shorter than bosses 60b in an amount substantially equivalent to the thickness of the opposite disc. Suitable adhesive may be employed to fasten the discs to each other to form the completed element, and in this construction the passages 62, 62 in the bosses extend clear through one integral part of the element and not partly through the bosses and a disc as shown in Figures 2 and 9. A quite similar molded element 63 having slightly shorter bosses 63a, 63a tapered to provide a slight draft is shown in Figure 9. In this form the upper disc 63b is glued or otherwise rigidly secured to the tops of both the conduit bosses 63a, 63a and the spacing bosses 63C, 63o.

Any of the various mixing elements described hereto- -fore may also be used directly in the spinneret of a viscose spinning machine. Such construction is shown in Figure l in which a fluid supply line 70 is secured to .a coupling '71 by means of a nut 72. The female fitting or nut 73 compresses one of the elements such as element 20, for example, between the flange of a spinneret 74, spacing washers 75 and 76 and the face of member 71. A linen filter 77 together with a metal filter support 79 are ordinarily interposed between the member 71 and the mixing element. The second stream of viscose is fed to the chamber 20e of element 20 through a fluid conduit 80 which communicates with a passage 81 in the nut 73 and thence to the chamber 20e.

In the event it is desired to use only one of the mixing elements in the main viscose supply line to the spinning machine, it may be desirable to provide an additional mechanical mixer between the stationary mixing element and the spinnerts. Such a construction is shown in Figure 17 in which the coupling 25 of Figure 5 is installed in the main fluid supply line 85 by means of a 'flange connection 86. A `shaft 87 journaled in a stufiing Ibox 88 extends into the main supply line through an elbow fitting 89. This shaft has a beater or mixing element 90 (Figure 18) comprising a sleeve 91 secured to the shaft and a plurality of pins 92, 92 mounted on the sleeve in staggered rows to provide maximum shear surface. The beater and shaft are turned at a predetermined speed through a gear or sprocket 93 keyed to the opposite end of shaft 87. It will be understood that the construction of Figure 17 is used when it is desired to provide maximum homogeneity of the mixture fed to the spinnerets. Tests have shown that the mixture is approximately 90% homogeneous after passing through the element 25. It still has dimensional filaments, however. The beater 9i) substantially removes all the filaments and provides a mixture that is 100% homogeneous.

Where it is not desired to produce maximum homogeneity, many desirable and interesting effects can be produced in the individual filaments with an arrangement such as shown in Figure 10 or Figure 6. Depending upon the number of holes 98, 98 in the spinneret 74 and the relative location of the orifices in the mixing element, it is possible to provide many forms of crosssectional filaments which have rather unusual characteristics. The sheath type filament is shown in Figure ll which has an outer covering or she-ath 100 of one material and an inner core 101 of another material. If the arrangement of the orifices is somewhat altered, however, it is possible to obtain a filament in which the two materials form, in section, hemi-spheres 102 and 103 (Figure 12). A further variation in the composition of the filament is shown in Figure 13 in which there are two opposite outer segments 104 and 105 separated by a lin or blade 106 of material having a different composition or color. In Figure l these materials are arranged in such ya way that approximately one-half the periphery of the filament is one color and the remaining half is divided equally. Figures 14 and 16 are comparable to Figures l1 and 12 in which a flattened or ellipsoidal cross-section is provided. The core 101:1 of Figure 14 is completely enclosed in a sheath 100e whereas the cross-section of the filament in Figure 16 is divided approximately in half by one material 102a and the different material 103e. It will be understood that the filaments shown in Figures 11-16 are illustrative only, it being possible to achieve many further variations which depend on the number of holes in the spinneret, the number of pumps on the spinning machine, and other variable factors such as the relative viscosity of the fluids.

In the spinning of synthetic filaments, it has been a particular object to provide the sheathed filament, such as shown generally in Figure 1l or 14, because this approaches the original animal fiber, particularly wool. However, it is quite possible to diffuse the sharp interface shown in these figures so that the change from the two materials will appear very gradual.

To achieve the most desirable degree of control of the filament shape and pattern, the orifices discharging secondary fluid from the chamber should face downstream. However, this is not essential since the proportioning elements described above will operate as homogenizers regardless of whether the secondary mixture is discharged upstream or downstream.

The present invention provides at low cost very effective blending of pigmented yarn and enables a wide range of results to be achieved. There are no moving parts, and the mixing elements are small, compact, easy to clean, and, therefore, require a minimum of maintenance. While the invention has been described primarily for use with the spinning of textile fibers, it will be understood that it can be used for other fluids such as paint or molasses, for example.

I claim:

l. A blending element for controlling and mixing fluid streams comprising a substantially flat disc having opposed surfaces in spaced relation to each other and defining a space therebetween, orifices extending through one of said surfaces to communicate with said space, spacing means for the surfaces, at least one orifice extending through the spacing means, and at least one orifice extending through the portion of each opposed surface contacting the spacing means which orifices are in substantial alignment with the orifice through the spacing means.

2. A proportioning element for mixing converging streams of liquid comprising a fiat wafer-like element, walls defining an annular groove around the periphery of said element, walls defining a plurality of passageways transversely through the element and communicating with said groove, walls defining a plurality of orifices communicating with said passageways and extending through one side only of the element, and walls defining a plurality of orifices extending completely through the element.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 in which the orifices are arranged in regularly spaced transverse rows.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 in which the passageways have interesecting round bores.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 in which the passageways are intersecting grooves of rectangular cross section.

6. A fluid blending device comprising a liquid conduit, a wafer-like element supported in the bore of said conduit, said element having walls defining orifices extend.- ing completely therethrough, walls defining a transverse chamber in said element, walls defining a plurality of orifices communicating with the chamber and extending through one side of the element, and means for introducing liquid to said chamber.

7. Fluid mixing apparatus comprising a fluid ,conduit carrying a primary flow of fluid, a disc-like element positioned in the bore of said conduit, walls defining a plurality of orifices extending completely through said disclike element, walls defining a plurality of passages forming a chamber within the element, walls defining a plurality of orifices affording communication between said chamber and the bore of the conduit, and fluid conduit means for supplying a secondary liow of fluid to the chamber of the element and thence to blend with the primary flow of fluid through said last-named orifices.

8. Fluid mixing apparatus comprising a fluid conduit carrying a primary ow of fiuid, a disc-like element positioned in the bore of said conduit, walls defining a plurality of orifices extending completely through said disclike element, walls defining a plurality of passages forming a chamber within the element, and walls defining a plurality of orifices affording communication between said chamber and the bore of the conduit, said last-named orifices being arranged to provide a symmetrically spaced pattern with respect to the first-named orifices.

9. A proportioning element for mixing a plurality of liquid streams comprising an upstream disc, a downstream disc held in spaced relation to said upstream disc and forming a chamber therebetween, means for maintaining said discs in spaced relation to each other, walls defining a continuous fiuid passage through at least one of said means and both the discs, and walls defining at least one fiuid passage through the downstream disc to provide liquid communication with the chamber.

10. A proportioning element for mixing a plurality of liquid streams comprising an upstream disc, a downstream disc held in spaced relation to said upstream disc and forming a chamber therebetween, means including a plurality of bosses for maintaining said discs in spaced relation to each other, walls defining continuous fiuid pas sages through said bosses and both the discs, and walls defining a plurality of fluid passages through the downstream disc to provide liquid communication with the chamber.

11. A proportioning element for mixing a plurality of liquid streams comprising an upstream disc, a downstream disc held in spaced relation to said upstream disc and forming a chamber therebetween, means including a plurality of bosses for maintaining said discs in spaced relation to each other, walls defining continuous primary fiuid passages through said bosses and both the discs, walls defining a plurality of uid passages through the downstream disc to provide liquid communication with the chamber, and means for supplying a secondary liquid to the chamber.

12. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11 in which the passageways are intersecting grooves of rectangular cross section.

13. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11 in which the bosses are formed integrally with one of the discs.

14. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11 in which one of the discs is drilled to receive the bosses.

15. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11 in which one of the discs is adhesively secured to the bosses.

16. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11 having a plurality of solid bosses arranged around the periphery of the discs to act as compression members between the discs.

17. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11 in which each primary fiuid passage is substantially centered between four secondary fiuid passages.

18. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11 in which the bosses are formed integrally with both of the discs.

19. Apparatus in accordance with claim 17 having walls defining an annular groove around the periphery of the element providing liquid communication with the chamber.

20. A viscose spinneret assembly comprising a coupling, walls defining a bore in said coupling, means for feeding a primary viscose stream to said bore, a spinneret mounted in spaced relation to said coupling, a proportioning element between the spinneret and the coupling, said element having a plurality of liquid orifices communicating directly with the bore of the coupling and the spinneret, walls defining a chamber in said element,

8 means for supplying a secondary liquid to said chamber, walls defining a plurality of orifices communicating with the chamber for delivering said secondary liquid to the spinneret, and a coupling nut for clamping the spinneret and the element to the coupling.

21. In a viscose spinning machine, the combination which comprises a viscose conduit, a pair of discs clamped in said conduit in spaced relation to each other and defining a chamber therebetween, means for spacing said discs from each other, walls defining a plurality of viscose passages through both of the discs and the spacing means, means for supplying a secondary fiuid to said chamber, and walls defining a plurality of orifices in the downstream disc through which the secondary fiuid is delivered into the primary fiuid conduit from the chamber.

22. Apparatus in accordance with claim 21 having a mechanical mixing element mounted in the fluid line downstream from the discs.

23. Apparatus in accordance with claim 21 having means downstream in the conduit from the discs for mechanically shearing viscose filaments discharged from the downstream disc.

24. Apparatus in accordance with claim 23 in which the mechanical means comprises a beater having a plurality of radially extending pins.

25. Apparatus in accordance with claim 24 in which the pins are arranged around the periphery of a sleeve in staggered relation.

26. Apparatus in accordance with claim 21 having a second pair of discs and spacing members, and means for by-passing fiuid emerging from the first downstream disc to the chamber of said second pair of discs.

27. Apparatus in accordance with claim 21 having a second pair of discs and spacing members positioned downstream from the first pair of discs, means for retaining the pairs of discs in spaced relation to each other, and means for by-passing fluid emerging from the downstream disc of the first pair to the chamber between said second pair of discs.

28. Apparatus in accordance with claim 27 having a third pair of discs and spacing members positioned downstream from the second pair of discs, and means for supplying a liquid to the chamber between said third pair of discs.

29. A proportioning element for mixing converging streams of liquid comprising a first disc-like element having a plurality of milled grooves therein, a plurality of bosses forming the boundaries of said grooves, orifices extending through at least one of said bosses, a second complementary disc-like element secured to said first element, and a plurality of orifices extending throughthe second element in registry with at least one of the grooves in said first element. v

30. A proportioning element in accordance with claim 29 having a passage around the outer edge thereof in communication with the grooves.

31. A proportioning element in accordance with claim 29 in which the orifices in the bosses are'centered therein, at least some of the grooves being biased with respect to each other, and the orifices in the grooves being located substantially at the intersections of the centerlines of at least two grooves.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

